Big Sur Salts & the Flavors of the Coast
Image courtesy of Instagram @bigsursalts
If you’ve ever breathed in the misty air on a Big Sur cliffside, you’ve tasted the "zing" of the Pacific. Most people just call it the ocean breeze, but Carlo Overhulser and his team at Big Sur Salts figured out how to put that specific feeling into a jar.
Legend has it that in 2015, a rogue wave in Big Sur soaked Carlo and left a bit of the ocean behind in a beer bottle he was holding. Instead of just drying off, he took that water home, evaporated it, and realized he was onto something special. Today, the team at Big Sur Salts has figured out how to put that specific coastal feeling into a jar. I used to think salt was just salt, but after learning of Carlo's process, it’s clear they are harvesting the literal DNA of the Monterey coastline.
It appears that the process is a lot more labor-intensive than you’d expect. Carlo and his team are hand-harvesting seawater from pristine points along the Big Sur coast; often scampering along the same rocky faces where that first wave hit him.
The water is evaporated slowly to leave behind jagged, mineral-rich crystals that have a distinct crunch. It’s a slow-motion way of doing things that may suggest a deep respect for the environment, but it also just results in a better product. When you taste it, there’s a subtle minerality that feels worlds apart from the flat, metallic sting of the table salt most of us grew up with.
What makes Big Sur Salts a favorite for local chefs is their knack for blending. They don't just stop at plain sea salt. They mix their harvests with local ingredients like wild herbs, citrus, and even smoked woods.
For instance, their "Gavilan" blend uses sage and garlic. It’s a punchy way to elevate a simple piece of grilled fish or even a sliced tomato. There is a certain nuance here; the salt acts as a megaphone for the other flavors rather than just making everything taste "salty."
There’s a lot of talk in the wine world about terroir, or the "taste of the earth." Big Sur Salts is making a pretty strong case for the "taste of the water."
Because they harvest from different spots along the coast, the mineral content can actually vary. It’s a very human, slightly unpredictable way to run a business. You’re getting a snapshot of the ocean on the day that specific batch was gathered. It feels a bit more connected to the land than something bought in a cardboard cylinder at a big-box store.
Next time you’re looking to add a little Monterey magic to your kitchen, look for Big Sur Salts. They are a staple at our local markets for a reason. Just a tiny pinch is usually enough to remind you why we all fell in love with this stretch of Highway 1 in the first place!
Receive a sample of Big Sur Salts in one of our foodie totes! If you can’t make it out to the markets or join us for a full afternoon of walking, you can still get a curated taste of the coast. We’ve put together Monterey Bay Foodie Totes, which are essentially a "greatest hits" collection of the region's best makers.
Grab one of our curated foodie totes and skip the line at the markets. Check out the current selections and order yours at montereybayfoodtours.com.